Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-04-28

our place was only Few miles from
Winnebago Reservation, and the Indians
now began to come back and forth to
trade and buy at the store. We were often
annoyed by them. One morning 1 had
just mixed some bread dough and had
put it nicely covered on chair near the
stove, when big Indian walked in and
deliberately sat down on 1t. Ipulled him
away and showed him the bread. He
laughed.
AS the weather grew colder and the
evenings longer we derived much enjoy
ment from our music. We had purchased
all the latest songs before leaving home,
and made good use of them. Many q
traveller on entering our cabin home
opened wido his eyes in establishment
when they rested on the piano. One gen
tleman from Philadelphia went so far as
to say that had he came across q steam
boat in the woods he wouldn't have been
moro surprised. I often had quite an
audience, composed mainly of Indians,
listening attentively.
The land all around Us was taken up
and in order to have our 160 acres near
the town husband bought claim from a
young man who had not yet acquired title
from the governments. 1t was about two
miles from town. We were obliged to
live on it thirty days before we could pre-
empt it. We delayed living on it till the
following spring, and came near losing it.
Husband came in one evening in great
haste and said he had heard that some
man was building cabin ON our claim,
and if we didn't take possession of our
cabin that night we would lose it. I has
tily gathered together a few things, and
we started on our tramp through the
woods, husband leading the way, with
child on one arm and lantern on the
other, followed by myself and the rest of
the children, with Pat, our man of all
work, in the rear trundling awheelbarrow
laden with bedding, etc.
1 gradually became reconciled to living
in hut, for that was about what it was.
soon began to realize the truth of what
that woman had warned me, for large
centipede, five inches long, fell from the
roof one day to my feet, and at another
time l brushed one from my bed. The
children called my attention to large
snake near the house. It was is thick as
good-slzed mans arm, and after it had
been killed had the pleasure of learning
that they always went in pairs, but al
though we watched daily, its mate never
put in an appearance.
Our little cabin was right near the
lake, and often set the line at night, and
in the morning would always find good
sized fish. One morning I caught large
fish; had to get someone to help take it
out of the water. We dined and supped
from it, and afterward found out that it
was called buffalo fish, a kind that not
even the Indians ate. Husband laughed
at me, bat later on I was able to turn the
tables. He brought home large bird
that he had shot. plucked and roasted
it, and we ate it. The next day in show
ing the head and plumage (Which was
beautifully, we were informed that it was
a loon, bird that no one ate.
I forgot to state that my husband staid
over in town all day, only coming to stay
with us at night. One evening when he
came he sid there was rumor that the
Sioux Indians were killing the settlers.
We both passed very uneasy night. In
the morning he left saying: 81 will as
certain the truth and come and tell YOU"
He had only been gone short time when
he returned, saying, at is true. Get
ready, quick" I hastily tied on bonnets,
and in short time we were fleeing to
town, while in imagination, saw an In
dian behind every tree. When we reach
ed town the men were in groups talking
over what was best to be done. Husband
sent out two couriers, one to st. Peter to
learn the worst, and the other to all the
near, saying if they would
come with their families and build
stockade around his house he had plenty
of provisions for all; also guns and am
munition. Thanks to the trading quail
ties of the Indians he had secured some
thirty or more guns, and had also sever
al revolvers. Not one responded to his
offer, but all wished to buy un. He
said: ~ have no guns for sale, but you
are welcome to use them if you stay
here" The men with families, and some
began fleeing to st. Paul. The
news from st. Peter was not encOurag-
ing, and at length my husband said:
"What shall it be? Shall we stay or go?"
I answered: "All we have in the world is
here. We will stay and defend it,"
learned afterward that 1 was the only
woman in the country around us that
stayed.
Husband then called the men Of the
Vising means of defense I nodded bull
iStSs IL was ohttU nhOh oohSS|
all were to run to our house.
In the meantime boards were gotten
ready to barricade the door and windows.
The ammunition was all placed upstairs
where, at the slightest alarm, / and the
children were to go. I was also instructed
how to supply them with the powder,
shot, and bullets. The men all assembled
every night at our house, where they re-
manned till morning. Each gun and re-
volver was loaded and in readiness. Our
quiet little home presented a strange ap-
pearanoe, with guns standing around
like an arsenal and the floor strewn with
boards, hatchets, axes, and nails. Never
shall forget those days of fear and
dread, not knowing whether another day
would find US living.
One night we had quite a fright. All
the men had assembled but one. He had
a store, and thinking the danger over de-
cided TO stay in his OWE house. He was
the owner of a rifle, and thought he could
defend himself. About 10 o'clock we
were all startled by terrific streams, that
seemed to draw nearer. Everyone sprang
to his feet, all murmuring with one
breath, "the Indians" The children and